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Vélocité Paris to Nice Charity Cycle

September 15, 2011

Fundraising

Each member of the Vélocité charity cycle team has been tirelessly fundraising for this event and are an inspiration to us all. The teams’ most recent fundraising event was a roaring success that added €7,000 to the Paris to Nice donations bank. That brings the teams’ total amount raised to date to €150,333 putting their target firmly within their reach.

This will prove to be a cycle of a lifetime for all involved as they push themselves to the limit in order to show their support for a very worthy cause. The twenty strong team of cyclists will be averaging 100km per day and are fortunate that Hostelworld.com, the worlds leading provider of online reservations, through a financial contribution have ensured the team will have a comfortable place to lay their heads each night.

The Challange

The Vélocité team realise that 700km in six days will be no easy feat and have been training regularly in recent months. On hand to lend the team some advice and encouragement at these training events were professional cyclists and Tour de France champion Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly. The two cycling legends even recorded good look messages for the paris2nice website and Sean Kelly gave an exclusive interview to the Vélocité team.

The Route

Bright and early on September 24 the team will bid adieu to the Eiffel Tower as they set off for Nice on the cycle of a lifetime. The team will follow the Sine out of Paris and cross the Forét De Sénart from here they will travel through small villages on route to the medieval town of Moret-sur-Loing where they will stop for a spot of lunch. Once rehydrated and replenished the team will continue on towards the pleasant town of Sens where they will rest for the night and celebrate Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day.

Fully rested, day two of the cycle will see the team enter the renowned wine region of Burgundy and pass through its wonderful old towns. The town of Chablis will make for an unforgettable lunch setting before the team sets off once again across vineyards and charming countryside to the traditional cobblestoned town of Avallon where they will turn in for the night.

On day three of the journey the team will cross the Morvan forest national park, to the famous Cóte d’Or wine region where they will visit one of the local vineyards. From here the Vélocité team will take in the UNESCO world heritage site, the Roman town of Orange. Moving onto day four the route will continue on to the familiar Cháteauneuf-du-Pape region offering the team an overwhelming view of Mount Ventoux that promises to leave them speechless. For the members of the team who wish to make the cycle a little extra challenging a detour option will be available to bike climb this legendary mountain, a feature of many Tour de France races.

Venturing further south on day six the team will cross the well-known Aix region and drink in its wonderful scenery. Wednesday’s destination is Draguignan, originally a Roman fort built on the hill now dominated by a distinctive 17th century clock tower that on a clear day, offers visitors splendid views of the surrounding region.

On Thursday September 29th the team will embark on the last day of their adventure. Upon leaving Draguignan the landscape becomes slightly mountainous while the views become more intense as the team nears the Mediterranean. Throughout the final miles of the journey the team will catch a glimpse of the luxurious resorts and beaches of Cannes and Antibes before finally coming to a screeching stop in the beautiful city of Nice.

Videos and Photos

Videos and Photos

Videos and Photos

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